Jerry Louie, of Chico, California, posted his first check as an exhibitor to Equi-Stat in 1983. He has continued as an active competitor, taking a small hiatus from 1998 to 2004. His lifetime earnings now exceed $150,000, including a third-place finish in the 1990 NCHA Super Stakes Classic Non-Pro and a Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association (PCCHA) Derby Non-Pro win.

As an owner, Louie has garnered more than $230,000, with Todd Bimat showing his horses in the Open most recently. His top performer is Playitagun (Playgun x Little Valedictorian x Smart Little Lena), a 2002 gelding who has earned $44,663 in his career. The only money-earner on Louie’s breeder record, according to Equi-Stat, is Sheza Mercedes (Hesa Commander x Will N Chiq x Doc N Willy), whose lifetime earnings total $621.

Lewis Wray, of Russellville, Arkansas, has shown cutting horses intermittently since 1984, according to Equi-Stat. His last check to be recorded in the database was in the fall of 2010, and his total earnings amount to $7,485. Those dollars were mostly earned in the Amateur at weekend events.

Wray, the father of Perrin, Texas-based trainer Scott Wray, has nearly $45,000 on his owner record, according to Equi-Stat. His highest money-earner was 1989 mare Wrays Cutter Tari (Doc Tari x Miss Cutter Billie x Cutter Bill), who was shown to $13,948 in 56 performances. His second-leading performer is the 2007 One Time Pepto gelding One Time Perry ($10,831), who is out of the Shorty Lena mare Perry Shorts.

The only horse on Wray’s breeder record is Freckles Jubileo, who earned $571 under Wray’s, Bill Carpenter’s and Tandy Bradley’s saddles, according to Equi-Stat. The 1985 mare (Mr Kings Freckes x Jeans Jubileo x Skipper Nel) is the only money-earner recorded in Equi-Stat out of Jeans Jubileo.

More information on the two candidates will appear in an upcoming issue of Quarter Horse News. According to the NCHA, ballots with background information on the two candidates will be by mail and email to all NCHA members no later than April 30. Member votes are due by midnight on June 8, and the election results will be announced June 9.